Should You Take Gingko to Boost Your Memory and Concentration?

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I have stayed away from discussing and supporting the use of supplements to improve memory function. One study says one thing, another study says something else. I’m not a medical practitioner and not authorized to prescribe anything. I also believe in doing things naturally when possible. Well now I feel compelled to share the new answer to “Should you take gingko to boost your memory and concentration?

Should You Take Gingko to Boost Your Memory and Concentration?

Should You Take Gingko to Boost Memory and Concentration? The answer appears to be no — it causes cancer in mice and possibly rats.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest,

Consumers should avoid Ginkgo biloba, a common ingredient in dietary supplements, herbal teas, and some energy drinks, based on a new study from the government’s National Toxicology Program that found “clear evidence” that the ingredient caused liver cancer in mice and “some evidence” that ginkgo caused thyroid cancer in rats.

You can read the entire article and access the National Institute of Health’s study here .

Should you take gingko to boost your memory and concentration? There will always be advocates of supplements — especially those who sell them — as well as those who dispute study results. There are also questions about whether the results of studies done on animals translate into the same results in humans. We know it isn’t always the case.

However, I stand by my initial decision not to recommend any chemicals — better to be safe than sorry. Use food, physical exercise, and mental stimulation activities found in the posts on this blog to improve the functioning of your memory. Check the ingredients of any dietary supplements, energy drinks, and teas you do consume to ensure gingko biloba is not hidden in any of them.